Membership - Dues are Due | | It's time to Join or Renew Your Membership | | |
Individual Membership - $70
Joint Membership - $110
Join now and your membership will be in good standing through June 30, 2027
| | For online assistance, there are Step-by-Step Instructions on our website, or contact Irene Lubin | | Study Groups - Call for Facilitators | | Call for Fall Study Groups and Facilitators! | |
- Do you have a new Study Group idea?
- Do you think there should be more options for Study Groups that fill up quickly during registration?
- Are you not sure what kind of Study Group you would like to lead but you are interested in facilitating a new group?
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If your answer is "yes" to any of the above questions,
or have questions of your own, we want to hear from you!
| | More information is in the Study Group News article below. | | We are honored to serve as your new Co-Presidents and appreciate the opportunity to lead the Phoenix Chapter. While we hold these roles, we recognize that we are part of a much larger team, and that the chapter’s success is made possible by the dedication and commitment of its members. | |
As Co-Presidents, our goal is to ensure that every member feels welcome and encouraged to share ideas and become involved. We extend our sincere gratitude to our outgoing Co-Presidents, Stephanie Klopper and Joyce Steinberg, for their leadership, guidance and service. Over the past two years, they have devoted significant time and energy to the chapter and achieved a great deal, leaving a strong foundation upon which to build.
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Founded in 1948 to remove barriers to higher education, Brandeis University remains committed to inclusion, learning, justice, and opportunity for people of all backgrounds. The Brandeis National Committee, Phoenix Chapter, supports these values through programs and activities that promote excellence, social justice and service to our local community.
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We also thank the Board members and volunteers who served this past year, as well as all members whose contributions continue to strengthen the chapter. We look forward to working with returning leaders and newly elected Board members as they share their talents and commitment in the year ahead.
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We appreciate your confidence in us and look forward to working together to continue strengthening and growing the chapter while maintaining the spirit and enjoyment that define our efforts.
We hope to see many of you at Summer Camp activities, and again in the fall at Study Groups and Events beginning in October. Please feel free to introduce yourselves. We look forward to meeting you.
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Warm regards,
Judy and Carol
| | A Farewell and Thanks from Joyce and Stephanie | | |
Dear Friends,
How time flies! It’s been just two years since we were installed as your Presidents, and now we have handed the reins to Carol Kadet and Judy Rosen at the Spring Luncheon.
| | We would like to thank all the Vice Presidents, Secretaries, Committee Chairs and the full Board for everything you do for the chapter. We couldn’t do anything without you. | | |
We’ve had amazing events, including two fantastic Book & Authors. Brandeis University President Arthur Levine attended the most recent Book & Author, and was so impressed with our chapter that he’s still raving about it. Our University on Wheels event was very informative and well-received. It was presented as a lecture online as well. The Annual Meeting taught us how to create a winery.
| | | | As we end our administration, we do so with the joy and satisfaction that comes with leaving our Chapter strong, vital and prepared for the future. We appreciate and pay tribute to the chapter leaders and Board members we worked with the last two years. | |
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We hope to see you this summer at some of our wonderful Summer Camp activities!
Joyce & Stephanie
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We Welcome the 2026-2027
Board of Directors and Appointees
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Presidents: Carol Kadet and Judy Rosen
Book & Author VPs: Laurie Burns, Patti Grossman and Brina Pepper
Bulletin Editor: Donna Germuska
Calendar: Marsha Wallace
Campaign: Sue Karp and Carol Kern
Chapter Advisors: Stephanie Klopper, Judy Levine and Joyce Steinberg
Community Outreach: Debbie Gordon and Gale Gradus
Contract Liaison: Michelle Fischler
Database Manager: Karen Bakst
Event Planning VPs: Betsy Gometz, Ellen Kirschenbaum and Marilyn Pomerantz
Event Registrar: Ronee Siegel
External Communications: Sandy Golden and Carol Mangen
Internal Communications: Sara Leopold
Leadership Development VPs: Joyce Grant and Gale Stam
Liaisons to the BNC Board: Nancy Sacks and Andrew Tievsky
Member Connections Chair: Terriann Kleiner
Members at Large: Ellen Baumler, Lisa Del Valle, Harriet Gold, Renee Karson, Lin Katzenstein, Jytte Methmann, Anne Mondlick, David Slivken, Andrew Tievsky, Donna Wirt and Sherry Wolf
Membership Milestone Outreach: Gail Vinik
Membership VPs: Ileen Herberg and Marilyn Reinfeld
National Board Co-President: Iris Wigal
Nomination Committee: Stephanie Klopper and Joyce Steinberg
Parliamentarian: Barbara Stern
Secretaries: Helen Abrams, Geri Gould, Myral Robbins and Kathleen Witkin
Study Group VPs: Judy Green and Betsy Silber
Summer Camp: Harriet Schwartz and Ronee Siegel
Sunshine Fund: Laura Hauer
Treasurers: Louise Kapner and Stephen Schoffman
Tributes and Donations: Beth Messer
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We welcome our incoming 2026-2027 Board of Directors, along with those assuming additional positions.
Thank you for volunteering!
A PDF list is available here
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Summer Camp
The Calendar is coming soon
Enrollment begins April 30
| | | See photos and slideshows from our 2025-2026 events here | | | | |
Call for Fall Study Groups/Facilitators
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- Do you have a new Study Group idea?
- Do you think there should be more options for Study Groups that fill up quickly during registration?
- Are you not sure what kind of Study Group you would like to lead but you are interested in facilitating a new group?
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If your answer is "yes" to any of the above questions,
we want to hear from you!
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Contact the Study Group Committee at studygroupsfy27@gmail.com and let us know you’re interested. If you already know what group you would like to facilitate, put the name of your group in the subject line and include a brief description. We are happy to work with you and answer any questions.
We need to hear from you by May 15.
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Note: Please contact us even if you already expressed your intent.
We want to make sure no one falls through the cracks!
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Our chapter's Study Groups are for the benefit and enjoyment of current BNC members.
Please be sure to join or renew your membership, so you will be able to register for study groups!
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Membership Milestones since our last issue
- Congratulations to Barb Schwartz on the birth of her grandson, William Irving Landem. The proud parents are Becca and Pete Landem.
- Congratulations to Linda and Robert Ullman on the birth of their grandaughter, Harper Ann. The proud parents are Phillip and Allie Ullman.
- Our sincere condolences to Sara Wolf on the passing of her husband Bob.
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Congratulations to Iris Wigal,
co-president of the BNC Board.
We wish her well!
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We welcome our new members:
Myra Adams, Karen Adelstein, Carole Bendet, Lawerence Boies, Arthur Callistein, Susan Charney, Dana Corman, Isabel Feinstein, Margo Fultz, Susan Kaufman, Mary Liebentritt, Steven Mitchell, Judy Schwartz, Steven Schwartz, Nancy Silverston, Rhonda Stein, Diane Thomas
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To report life-cycle events here, please contact:
Marilyn Reinfeld • mkr1227@cox.net • 480-620-5601
| | We apologize for any errors or omissions. For inclusion in future bulletins, please contact Marilyn Reinfeld. | | |
Chapter Roster
To report a change in email address, phone number (cell or landline) or mailing address, please contact:
Carol Kadet • carolkadet@gmail.com
She will update our membership roster and ensure that you receive Chapter mailings and information.
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A Social for New and Prospective Members
Study Group Orientation
Monday, August 3
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We hold socials several times throughout the year to welcome new and prospective members
Watch the website for details
Please contact us to attend
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We look forward to having you join us at an event, welcoming you at one of our fabulous
functions and making your BNC experience extra special! Coming by yourself? Not a problem.
We usually have a table reserved for New Members!
| | Membership Committee Meetings | Our next Membership Committee meeting will be Monday, May 18 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm via Zoom. | | |
Name Tags
Would you prefer not to wear the stick-on name tags used at Chapter functions?
We are offering personalized, magnetic BNC name tags for $18.00, including shipping. You can get your name tag by filling out the order form and mailing it to the listed address.
Order Form
Note: Replacement magnetic backs for existing name tags are available; contact the Chapter at info@brandeisphoenix.org
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| From Patti, Ileen and Brina, 2026 Book & Author Event Chairs | | Thank you to everyone who made Book & Author 2026 such a successful event. We couldn't have put on this event without all the committee chairs and their hard work and attention to detail. | |
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The festivities began with the Bookmark Donor Cocktail Party on a beautiful evening and then moved on to the intimate Bookmark Dinner with the authors. Thank you to Janis Lipman, Michelle Fischler and Iris Wigal for the elegance of the evening events and to Carol Kern and Marcy Strauss for bringing our Bookmark Donors to these events.
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The luncheon exceeded our expectations with 704 lunches served at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Registering and seating everyone went smoothly thanks to Lisa Haffer, Carol Mangen, Joan Davis, Sara Leopold and Barbara Stern.
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We could not have registered this many people without our wonderful Marketing Committee chairs - Carol Kadet and Sandy Golden - who blanketed the Valley with news of the event. Internal communication was the work of Sara Leopold; thank you for the eblasts.
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The table decorations were bright and festive due to Wendy Cohen, Phyllis Stone, Barb Schwartz and their group of creative people.
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The boutiques afforded great shopping experiences with popular returnees and the addition of some new faces this year. We appreciate the diligence of Bev Gordon, Jan Lebovitz, Linda Perlman, Lois Ross, Linda Ullman and Hannah Myerson.
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The logo and the program book will be delightful reminders of this day thanks to the creativity of Georgia Heller and Sara Leopold.
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The Author Committee of Geri Gould, Gayle McKenna and Jytte Methmann spent countless hours finding these authors, meeting their needs and helping them to feel comfortable. Marilyn Pomerantz made airplane and hotel reservations that worked for everyone. Julia Libling made sure everyone was chauffeured and cared for while signing books.
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Thank you to Bonnie Furst and Harriet Schwartz for organizing the book sales and working closely with Changing Hands to make sure we had everything on hand. The books we purchased will prompt us to think about how much we enjoyed listening and learning from these engaging authors.
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Check-In went smoothly thanks to the continuing expertise of Susie Sacks, Ruth Lerner and Gail Tenn.
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The many Table Captains were recruited by the team of Ruth Lerner, Hillary Kaminsky, Susie Sacks, Ellen Kirschenbaum and Linda Ullman. They thanked them ahead of time with a lovely brunch.
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Behind the scenes, Joyce Steinberg created all the posters needed and the PowerPoint presentation for the luncheon. Louise Kapner and Steve Schoffman helped set the budget and ensured payments were made on time. Martha Patrick kept the speakers on schedule. We are indebted also to past chairs and presidents, Marcy Stauss, Sue Karp, Joellyn Pollock and Iris Wigal, who were wherever they were needed at the moment.
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It takes a village of volunteers to put on this event and we couldn't do it without the Volunteer Committee, who made sure that people were in all the places they were needed. Thank you to Laurie Burns, Kathleen Witkin and Terriann Kleiner.
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Make sure you check out the photos below and on our website from all three experiences - Gale Gradus did an excellent job photographing the story of Book & Author 2026.
- Thank you to all who served on committees to help the chairs with what needed to be done.
- Thank you to all who attended!!!
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To top it all off, we are able to contribute about $73,000 to BNC's Engineering the Future campaign.
| Keep your eyes open for the date and place of next year's event! | We welcome Laurie Burns as a co-chair of the event in 2027. | |
Patti Grossman, Ileen Herberg, Brina Pepper
2026 Book & Author Event Chairs
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Annual Meeting: Leith Baletin,
Ellen Widoff, Stephanie Klopper,
Mo and Stephanie Garfinkle,
Joyce Steinberg
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Community Service is a fundamental part of the mission of BNC. Throughout the year, we collect items for various non-profits in the greater Phoenix area, and your support is much appreciated.
Additionally, our Mitzvah Mavens Study Group provides participatory activities for our members to volunteer directly with specific agencies.
| | Keep an eye out for our newly enhanced Community Outreach Program! | At this time, donations are no longer being accepted, but please remember you can always drop off personal care items, clothing or pill bottles at your local Synagogue as most have a designated drop off donation box in the lobby. | Looking forward to giving back and serving our community! | We are very grateful for your kindness and compassion. | |
Debbie Gordon and Gale Gradus
Community Outreach
Debbie and Gale
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Knit A Mitzvah
Do you Knit? Do you Crochet?
Help us make Scarves, Newborn Baby Caps,
Lap Blankets and Chemo Caps
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We donate newborn baby caps and lap
blankets to Honor Health Medical
Center, scarves to Sojourner Center
and chemo caps to
Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center.
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For more information, please contact:
Ronee Siegel
ronees@aol.com 917-273-0393
Joan Davis
davis6j@gmail.com 602–499-8357
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Mitzvah Mavens
Participants in this study group volunteer at a variety of Valley non-profit organizations. We meet at the specific locations of the organizations on various dates, lending helping hands as needed. If there are activities that can be done at home, participants will be notified.
| | | Mitzvah Mavens Facilitators: | | |
| Engineering the Future Campaign |
| | BNC-Phoenix Chapter Board | Stephanie & Mo Garfinkle | With thanks for your enjoyable presentation at our Annual Meeting | | Carol Kadet | Terriann Kleiner | In honor of her birthday | | Joyce Lefco | Terriann Kleiner | In honor of Terriann | | Terri Levenson | Brina Pepper | In honor of her birthday | |
| Library Collection in Judaism |
| | Contemporary Reads Book Group | Sara Wolf | In memory of Robert Wolf | |
| Library Fund |
| | Harriet Schwartz | Brina Pepper | In honor of her birthday | |
| Neuroscience Research |
| | Joyce & Paul Grant | Sara Wolf | In memory of Bob Wolf | | | |
To make a donation online using a credit card, click here
In order to include your online tributes in the bulletin, please email the details -
Fund, Donor(s), Recipient(s) and Occasion only - to Beth Messer at bethmae721@gmail.com
For future inclusions, please notify Beth Messer
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More about the BNC Engineering the Future Campaign
See what's happening on the Brandeis campus here
and in the Brandeis Magazine
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Did you miss one of Brandeis'
virtual events and would like to access a recording of it?
Visit the on-demand Virtual Event Library
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View additional Book & Author
photos here
| | Exploring Valley Treasures at Liberty Wildlife, where birds of prey and other animals are saved, treated or have surgery if needed | |
Friday Neighborhood Walks Study Group
Photo: Marcy Strauss
| | Arizona Explorers take a hike | |
Boomers Study Group at the Scottsdale Airport
Photo: Ellen Widoff
| | General Chapter Information | | Founded in 1948, Brandeis National Committee is dedicated to providing philanthropic support to Brandeis University, a distinguished liberal arts and research university founded by the American Jewish community. Its membership is connected to the University through fundraising and through activities that reflect the values on which the University was founded: academic excellence, social justice, nonsectarianism and service to the community. | | The Phoenix Chapter Bulletin is published 4 times a year. Our next issue will come out in August. | |
Presidents: Carol Kadet and Judy Rosen
Editor: Donna Germuska • Layout: Sara Leopold
bncphxbulletin@gmail.com
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